Another letdown: Ohio State continues trend of falling short

Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger (0) sits on the court after losing to Kansas 64-62 in an NCAA Final Four semifinal college basketball tournament game Saturday, March 31, 2012, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

That's what it sounds like when opportunity has passed by and isn't knocking anymore.

Maybe it will again for the Ohio State men's basketball team. A lot depends on what happens over the coming days or weeks and who potentially stays or leaves the program.

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But after the Buckeyes' 64-62 loss to Kansas in the second of two Final Four games in New Orleans on Saturday, the notion exists that perhaps opportunity might have passed by the Buckeyes.

For three straight years, Coach Thad Matta's program had the goods to win an national championship.

Three straight years, the Buckeyes came up a bit short.

A talented, underclassmen-laden team gets ousted by Tennessee, 76-73, in the third round of the NCAA Tournament in 2010.

Strike one.

An experienced, tournament-tested team earns the top overall seed in the 2011 tournament, only to get dismissed by Kentucky, 62-60, again in the Sweet 16.

Strike two.

Then on Saturday, a young-but-experienced team squanders a 13-point lead, has a miserable night shooting the ball and is sent packing in the Final Four by Kansas, 64-62.

Strike three.

Are the Buckeyes out?

They might be for a while if certain things transpire, such as if two-time All-American Jared Sullinger packs his bags and heads for the NBA draft and is accompanied by fellow sophomore Deshaun Thomas.

Those two potential departures, plus the graduation of four-year starter William Buford -- the fourth all-time leading scorer in OSU history -- would leave barren both OSU's cupboard of returning scorers AND the mantle of leadership outside of Aaron Craft.

"I don't have a definite decision. I will decide when the time is right for me," Sullinger said after Saturday's game of his NBA future.

It wouldn't be a surprise if Thomas threw his hat in the NBA draft, either, having increased his stock exponentially this season.

Ironically, OSU's downfall was largely because of rough nights by both Sullinger and Thomas, who combined to make only 8 of 33 shots from the field against Kansas.

Sullinger SHOULD come back to Ohio State for another season, after he again struggled against taller, longer players with less talent. (Yes, that's you Jeff Withey).

Withey, Kansas' 7-footer, was a big reason why Sullinger suffered through a 5-for-19 shooting performance. He blocked consecutive shots by Sullinger without leaving his feet.

Thomas could certainly benefit from another year in the college game if for no other reason than to work on his mental game. He is easily frustrated, as a 3-for-14 performance would do to any pure shooter, and can further hone his skills if he does return instead of entering a draft that is already one of the deepest in recent NBA history.

Thomas, after the game, sounded as if he looked forward to being a leader next year, which bodes well for the Buckeyes.

If Sullinger and Thomas return, Ohio State's future is at least a little brighter.

If not, then there will be a lot of what-ifs over the coming months, all stemming from a yet another close-but-no-cigar NCAA Tournament game.

What if Thomas hadn't been in constant foul trouble in the second half against the Jayhawks? Until he picked up his third foul, he was the only person who was having any luck against All-American Thomas Robinson (18 points, 8 rebounds).

What if Sullinger (5-19) and Thomas (3-for-14) each made two more shots? It's still a rotten shooting night, but it potentially would have been enough to push the Buckeyes over the top.

What if Ohio State hadn't missed its first 10 shots of the second half and 25 of its 33 shots after intermission? Ouch.

What if Craft had waited a milli-second longer to rebound his intentional free-throw miss at the end of the game, got the board and tied it up?

And the biggest, most haunting question of them all...

What if Ohio State would have made it to the championship game? Would they have been able to do what they did all season long by finding a way to win against even when multiple things go wrong?

Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, they will never know the answer to those questions.

After three straight near misses and the potential departure of some key figures, one has to wonder when Ohio State will be in that position again.